Page 61 of Honour Bound
The official who’d been so annoyed with me moments earlier was on his knees, gaping at me. Even Angus, who hadn’t left yet, stared at me in awe. A heartbeat later, there was a roar of what sounded like thunder. I frowned. It hadn’t looked like a storm was coming when I arrived. Then I realised it wasn’t thunder – it was applause.
I peered out from the curtains. The audience were on their feet, not just clapping but stamping and shouting for more. One of the judges called for an encore. I pulled back, dropping the harp as if it had burned me.
‘I’ve never heard anything like that in my life,’ Angus breathed. ‘So much for not being musical.’ He grasped my hand and squeezed it. ‘That was incredible.’
‘Er, it wasn’t really me.’
‘Don’t be so modest. You were amazing.’
With the clock ticking down the last few seconds, the crowd continued to roar. The judges consulted and I held my breath. When the scores flashed up, it took a moment for them to register.
‘A perfect score,’ the official gasped. ‘Wonderful! Simply wonderful!’
‘Um, thanks.’ I didn’t know where to look. Bob and Dagda had come through, and then some. I gingerly stretched out my hand, my fingers curling round the cool wood. The harp felt exactly the same, apart from the slightest vibration that was invisible to the eye. ‘You were fabulous,’ I whispered. I didn’t think it was my imagination that the vibrations grew momentarily stronger before fading away entirely.
I left Angus and the official gaping after me and quickly covered the harp before picking it up and walking into the bathroom nearby. As soon as I was inside, I locked the door and pressed my forehead against the mirror. If I thought I was shaking before, it was nothing compared to now.
Light flashed and Bob appeared. ‘Told you!’ he sang out. ‘Aren’t I wonderful? Don’t you want to have my children?’ He bounced up, landing on my shoulder and moving back my hair to whisper in my ear. ‘Don’t you want to make a wish right now out of gratitude for my awesomeness?’
I pulled back. ‘I think it’s the harp that’s awesome, not you.’
‘I’m the one who found it for you. And it’s not as if you played it particularly well. I told you to choose C sharp, not strum it like a guitar. You’re lucky that things didn’t go completely tits up. Some of those strings create notes that can cause difficulties for weak-minded people who aren’t fabulous genies like me.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me it was going to have that effect?’
He tutted. ‘What did you think would happen? That’s what Dagda’s harp does. Honestly, Uh Integrity, sometimes I despair of your naivety.’
There was a sharp knock on the door. ‘Tegs? Are you in there?’
Bob grinned. ‘The others are coming to congratulate me. Let them in. We should get this over with before I start to feel embarrassed.’
I unlocked the door and Lexie flew at me, her small arms wrapping me in a hug. ‘I knew you could do it! You were brilliant!’
‘Thank you,’ Bob said.
‘I have to admit,’ Brochan rumbled, ‘that was pretty amazing.’
‘I know, I know. There’s no need to go on about it, though,’ the genie continued.
‘Shut up, Bob,’ Speck said. ‘Tegs, you are a musical genius.’
‘She didn’t do anything!’ Bob howled. ‘Why are you praising her? I’m the one you should be thanking!’
‘Actually,’ I said, glaring at him, ‘I think the harp did all the work.’
‘It was you who played it,’ Lexie said loyally. ‘And you got full marks. That means you’re top of the table. Let’s head out there and gloat.’
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea,’ Taylor said, frowning. ‘They love you right now but it doesn’t take much for adoration to turn into jealousy. You should play things down. It would be better to head back to the cabin and keep a low profile. Besides, we ought to prepare for the Adventure challenge. I don’t think the Hunt will be easy, even for Tegs.’
I nodded. ‘Taylor’s right. This lot are fleeting with their loyalties. Let’s get out of here while we can.’
Lexie pouted but agreed. Bob, however, crossed his arms. ‘You’re denying me my moment of glory.’
‘Bob?’
‘Yes?’
‘C sharp when you cross the street or you’re going to B flat.’
